5 Free Events in NYC: “Coco Before Chanel,” Oscar Wilde and More

The Pop UpsLincoln Center, ManhattanJune 1; 11 a.m.
Made up of Jason Rabinowitz and Jacob Stein, Brooklyn-based duo The Pop Ups are a popular band devoted to making music for children. The pair snagged three Grammy Award nominations for their work, which is meant to be both educational and inspirational. An RSVP is required to attend.

“The Importance of Being Earnest” West Side of Central Park, ManhattanSelect days through June 16; 7 p.m.
Oscar Wilde’s classic gets a modern update in this retelling, with cast members switching genders and roles every other performance. A reservation is recommended.

Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself”: Stonewalt Edition Brooklyn Bridge Park, BrooklynJune 2; 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This special event commemorates the 200th birthday of Whitman and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. “Song of Myself,” one of Whitman’s most critically acclaimed poems, will be performed by a legion of fans in a marathon reading.

20/20Peter Blum Gallery, ManhattanReception on May 31, 2019, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m; exhibition through July 31
The work of 12 artists converges in this mixed-media exhibition. By pairing paintings with video, curators hope to provoke critical thought about the nature of time and technology.

Films on the Green: “Coco Before Chanel”Cedar Hill in Central Park, ManhattanMay 31; 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
If the blockbusters shown as part of Movies Under The Stars aren’t your style, you might enjoy this screening of this 2009 French film. Starring Audrey Tautou as a fictionalized version of Coco Chanel, the drama follows the burgeoning designer’s humble ascent to the height of couture.